bakerstreet | I saw Christmas decorations today

[Ever get so busy looking at your feet that feeling something weird brush against your hair makes you jump and maybe shout a little and then definitely look around to see if anyone saw that before you even check what it was that touched you?

Welcome to Asahi's life.]

[ Suga pulls up short beside Asahi when he flinches and yelps, looking up at him in surprise. It's hard not to see something like that, especially when Suga's so used to watching for Asahi and listening for his voice during matches.

This time, though, Suga's concern soon dissipates when he spots the source of the problem and he gives a quiet laugh. Before Asahi can even finish glancing around, Suga is already rising onto his tiptoes to reach above Asahi and pull the offending leaf out of his hair. ]

Someone left something on the doorway. What is that? How str--

[ Suga recognizes the mistletoe just as his fingers touch the leaves, and he freezes, precariously balanced and all up in Asahi's personal space. He blinks rapidly, then says in a tiny voice: ]

Oh.

[It would've been nice if no one had seen but that's not Asahi's lot in life. When he wants to be invisible seems to be when he gets the most notice and right now is no exception.

Normally he'd have no objection to his vice-captain helping him out, especially given that he's currently dying of mortification, RIP ace, but when he hears Suga's quiet reaction he glances up and a whole alternative level of things to be scared of opens up before him.]

Ah, you don't have to...

[His actions give the lie to his words, however, as Asahi looks up at the little sprig of greenery then down--not as far down as usual, he notices--at Suga. His eyes go ever so slightly wide and, almost as if he wasn't thinking about it, his hand shoots up to catch Suga's wrist near the mistletoe.]

You should be careful, though. Isn't it poisonous?

[ Even when Asahi's curling into himself and trying to hide from everything, Suga sees him. He thinks that might be when he sees him most, actually, whenever he's troubled or uncertain. As his setter, Suga just wants to support him. Even if that support is against harmless things, like mistletoe.

Then again, he thinks, watching Asahi's eyes go wide and feeling pressure clamp around his wrist, maybe it's not so harmless after all.

He laughs at Asahi's comment, though. ]

It's not like I'm going to eat it, Asahi.

[ Asahi's hand is warm against his skin, and the sensation makes him glance up towards it and the mistletoe beyond. His voice is soft when he speaks again. ]

...That's not what you're supposed to do with mistletoe.

Edited 2014-10-31 05:03 (UTC)

[Naturally that's when Suga would see him the most, when Asahi most wants to hide, but he's fairly well convinced that's just Suga's way. He's observant perhaps even to a fault, seeing things like responsibility where they simply don't exist.

Asahi knows a little about what that's like, and he might even be doing it now, but it's just over some mistletoe. Isn't it?]

It might be bad if it gets on your skin, though. Does it cause a rash?

[It's the change in Suga's tone that makes Asahi look down again, finally realizing that it's not just any plant stuck to the doorframe, it's a plant with a very specific meaning attached to it.

And he's got Suga's arm, effectively forcing him to stand under it.

With Asahi.

The hand holding Suga's wrist trembles just a little. He doesn't want to let go too fast, that might hurt his feelings, but he doesn't want to hold him there because, well, what if he doesn't want to be involved in mistletoe related... things. At least somewhere in the midst of his indecision paralysis, Asahi has the presence of mind to lower their arms.]

No, I--I guess not, huh?

[ Suga tilts his head a little, blinking. ]

I don't know. My fingers feel fine, though.

[ He is definitely able to feel his fingers just fine. And his wrist, too, and the quiver in the soft pressure encircling it. He doesn't say anything as Asahi lowers their arms, neither helping him nor pulling away. He just lets things move at Asahi's pace, away from the mistletoe that dangles overhead.

His eyes flick back to Asahi and then away again to the floor.

He'd be lying if he said he'd never thought Asahi in that sort of context. Asahi is beautiful, although maybe most people wouldn't think to use that word for him. He's strong, and kind, and a part of Suga is selfishly glad that only his teammates get to see Asahi on the court, where he shines brightest. He's relied on Asahi for so long that he can't imagine what his life would be like without him anymore.

He'd never intended to say anything, though; he values their friendship as it is, and wouldn't want to risk damaging it. Asahi doesn't look happy, so Suga gives him a sideways look, his smile slightly fading. ]

It's probably just a joke someone left. We don't have to if you don't...want.

[ Asahi's hand feels nice on his wrist. A part of Suga hopes he doesn't let go. ]

Edited (tenses!!!! /shakes fist) 2014-11-07 18:18 (UTC)

[Asahi's brows shoot up when Suga says his fingers feel fine. He glances down at them then lifts Suga's hand up so he can get a better look at it.]

I didn't realize you already touched it...

[He's got Suga's hand quite close to his face now, the search for a rash that may never exist making for a handy distraction from the growing warmth on his neck and moving to his ears. He turns Suga's hand carefully in his grasp until he's simply holding his fingers. No rash. Excellent. He finally manages to look back at Suga and give him his best reassuring smile.

Only then does he realize his plan backfired and he's now actively holding Suga's hand under mistletoe. How does this keep getting--

Getting what? Worse? Or maybe, just maybe, better? After all, it's not like it's someone very scary. It's Suga who, sure, he's scary sometimes, but he's also smart and gentle and he only scares Asahi when he needs to. It's a difference Asahi values a lot. There are a lot of things about Suga he values a lot.

Like how Suga doesn't push him to not be scared when they're off the court. He knows, though, that their vice-captain would like it if he was a braver ace. And it's not hard, right? It just starts with small changes. Little things. Like... being honest for a second.]

I--I... do. If-If you do, though! Otherwise I'm sorry and just please don't tell Daichi.

[He'd never let him live it down. Asahi's hoping, though, that it's just that there's nothing to hide.]

[ Suga can't help but smile at Asahi's conscientiousness, but it's a wobbly thing, half buried by his nerves. He feels weird, having Asahi look out for him like this, but it's a nice kind of weird. He could get used to it.

His hand is smaller than Asahi's, his fingers narrower and more tapered. Asahi's skin is warm against his, and every brush of fingertips over his palm—calluses against calluses, signs of their devotion to a singular goal—lights something warm in Suga's stomach. He shivers when Asahi's grip slides up, his thumb smoothing over Suga's fingertips.

When he speaks again, his voice is breathy. ]

If it was poisonous, you'd have it all over your hand by now. I guess...we're both lucky, then.

[ Suga can't help but lean in closer to Asahi, like a star tugged by gravity. When Asahi turns and smiles at him, his cheeks tinge pink. Asahi is even more lovely up close. His hair falls in loose tendrils from the band that holds it back, further softening the lines of his face. Suga has always wanted to run his hands through it.

He blinks when Asahi says he wants to. It's so quiet around them that Suga's small gasp is loud in his own ears. ]

Yes, I...me, too. I want to. I really— [ his voice breaks up over a short laugh— ] really want to.

[ It's a little hard to believe he's hearing right. He wonders if this is how Asahi feels when he gives him a high toss and the view across the net opens up—the feeling of fetters falling away.

His free hand alights on Asahi's shoulder without pressure, steadying himself as he leans up. His other hand turns within the grip that holds it until he can take an equal part, his fingers closing around the back of Asahi's hand. He blinks once, and then presses a kiss the corner of Asahi's mouth, dry and quiet. He's startled by the soft scratch of stubble against his lips.

When he pulls back, his expression is nervous, but sure. His next whisper is meant for Asahi's ears alone. ]

Kiss me, Asahi. ...Please.

[People may think of Suga as one of the team's parents but at the end of the day if he could, it'd be Asahi wrapping them all in bubble wrap to protect them from the world. The world is terrifying. Asahi knows he's also far more easily frightened than most, but it's also a matter of wanting to keep people who matter to him safe.

At least, that's how this all started.

Safety seems like a distant thing right now, though, under a little plant with a Western Christmas tradition associated with it dangling overhead and Suga's hand increasingly warm in his. Asahi can only blink a few times when he sees a blush light up Suga's cheeks. He wears it so well, the pink only serving to emphasize the fairness of his skin. Even when he's on the court, flushed with exertion, Asahi's always thought Suga looked so light, almost ethereal. This moment is doing nothing to change that opinion.

He wants to reply when Suga says he wants to kiss him too, but the words just aren't there. In his heart, Asahi knows even if he could find them, he'd only stammer, so instead he pauses. It's not quite his typical freeze, but it's a close imitation. He holds his breath when Suga leans in close, only exhaling when his lips are gone and he's drawn back a little.

Suga kissed him. And somehow that's not even the end of it. They've fulfilled the traditional obligation, as far as Asahi knows, but it's not over. Not if he doesn't want it to be.

Safety would probably mean not agreeing right now, but regardless of his own feelings, Asahi knows saying no to Suga is the least safe decision of all.]

O-OK.

[Asahi's free hand is trembling when it lifts to Suga's jaw, but it does settle there, his fingers on Suga's throat and his thumb near the corner of his mouth. He can almost feel his pulse--it's distracting, but Asahi's intent now. He leans down and meets Suga's lips gently, only remembering at the last second that maybe he should close his eyes...]

[ "My teammates are plenty strong." Suga never means those words more than when he talks about Asahi, with whom he's spent countless hours on the court. It was Asahi's care, skill, and sharp attention that won them match after match, just as much as Suga's calls and sets. Daichi is his partner, but Asahi is too: the team's ace whom he shelters behind.

But he isn't thinking of Asahi as an ace in this moment. His thoughts are far from the court.

Asahi's stammered acknowledgement makes Suga's heart thump in his chest. His eyelashes drop, belated shyness, but all of him falls still when he feels Asahi's hand alight on the soft edge of his jawline. Their eyes lock as Asahi leans closer, until Suga can feel the soft puff of breath against his lips. He shivers at the sensation before Asahi kisses him.

Oh. It's such an easy thing, the soft pressure of warm lips against his own. He doesn't realize he's closed his own eyes, but he tilts his head to bring himself closer to Asahi, sighing through his nose at how pleasant it feels.

Suga's hand wanders up from Asahi's shoulder to cup the back of his neck. His hair really is soft. He feels a little dizzy that he's had the chance to find that out for himself.

He pulls back eventually, eyes still closed and his breathing coming fast. He's smiling as he bumps their foreheads lightly together. ]

Asahi, you're amazing.

[Asahi nearly pulls away when Suga starts to move but oh, he's just turning his head a little, just getting them closer together. Asahi didn't expect this but it's Suga doing it. It's Suga and he trusts him implicitly so he lets himself go, lets his other hand lift to Suga's hip, lets his breathing slow even as his heart is pounding.

The touch of Suga's hand on his neck has Asahi breaking out in goosebumps, but he likes it. He'd like to feel more of it. Maybe Suga... maybe Suga letting his hair down. That'd be nice.

Asahi opens his eyes when Suga finally pulls away, but with Suga's eyes still closed the moment remains quiet and private. Asahi smiles too, though it shakes a little when Suga compliments him.]

Really? But I'm not--[no negative beard! not right now!] You don't have to say it again or anything, it's just. You're the one who's amazing, Suga. Thank you.

Edited 2015-01-01 04:24 (UTC)

[ When Asahi thanks him, he moves on impulse: tilting his chin forward so that he can give him a barely-there kiss before pulling back again, chuckling. He's not used to being tucked into someone's space so intimately, but he's coming to really like it. He can feel Asahi's warmth like this, against his fingers buried in his hair, against his forehead where it's pressed against Asahi's.

It's just starting to catch up with him, what they've just done and the implications of it. ]

I'm glad it's you, Asahi. I...always wanted it to be you.

[ Then something occurs to him, and his smile goes devilish. ]

Are you still sure I can't tell Daichi?

[Asahi doesn't freeze when Suga kisses him again, a reaction he feels is a step in the right direction, especially if Suga's going to keep kissing him. He'd really like that. The longer they stand like this, the more he can imagine that happening. Maybe he'd kiss Suga, too. Maybe even without having to be asked, but he doesn't want to get ahead of himself.

Even so, it was really nice.

He draws a deep breath when Suga speaks, mouth hanging open for a moment before he replies.]

Always? I mean... I wanted it to be you, too... [Be brave, Asahi. Be brave...] Koushi.

[All his bravery evaporates when Suga mentions their captain, though.]

I don't want him to get mad at me!

I saw Christmas decorations today

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i don't have a smiling icon /fail

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